Tuscan Skies
Part 8
Milan, Italy was situated on the flat plains of the Po Valley. Milan was the capital of Lombardy, in addition to being Italy's wealthiest, and second largest city. The wealthy, and ultra-cosmopolitan Milanesi enjoyed their reputation as successful businesspeople, at home and abroad. They embraced tradition, sophistication, and ambition equally. They were just as likely to follow opera at La Scala, as they were to follow their stock market shares, or their favorite football tem, AC, or InterMilan, at the San Siro Stadium. Milan had a history it prided itself on. Three times, throughout the ages, the city had to rebuild after conquests by foreign invaders. The city was founded in the seventh century BC by the Celts. The city of Milan was then known as Mediolanum, or mid-plain. It was first destroyed by the Goths in 600 AD, then by Barbarossa in 1157, and finally, by the Allies in World War II, when over a quarter of the city was completely leveled. Milan had elevated rebuilding, and renewal to an art form in, and of itself. It had successfully reinvented itself under French, Spanish, and Austrian rulers from 1499 until the reunification of Italy in 1870. Miraculously, many of Milan's original treasures still exist today, including Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. The people of Milan are mired in tradition, especially religion, to the extent that they pay a special tax toward the cathedral maintenance. This is obvious in the city's most enduring symbol, the golden statue of the Virgin Mary, on top of the cathedral, Il Duomo. The city's layout branches out from the centrally located cathedral, in a star-shaped axis of arteries that spread through its modern suburbs, to the ring road. The modern civic center lies to the northwest, around Mussolini's central station, and is dominated by the Pirelli skyscraper, one of the first skyscrapers in Italy. The trade and fashion shows, and most of the fashion fairs take place in the Fiera district, west of the city center, around the Porta Genova station.
Sue Ellen hired a limousine service to take her from the airport in Milan, to the Porta Genova station for the Milan Fashion Week in Fiera Milano. The premier designers from all over Italy would be premiering their Fall 1995 clothing lines. Sue Ellen had a front row seat, and waited patiently for the show to start. Photographers, and reporters from all over the globe had gathered for the first look at some of the more prominent Italian designers clothing lines for the upcoming Fall season. Sue Ellen opened her program leaflet, and read some of the names. All of the names she recognized would be there; Armani, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Versace, the list of names covered two pages in her leaflet. The massive auditorium was filled with the strobing lights of camera flashbulbs. The sounds of many different languages filled the auditorium. Sue Ellen recognized some of the languages she had overheard, French, Italian, Spanish. She was excited, but filled with regret at the same time. She wished J.R. had accompanied her. She missed him already, and they had only been apart for a few hours. She suddenly remembered her promise to call him when her plane landed. She opened her handbag, and pulled out her mobile phone. She dialed the telephone number to the villa. She waited for one, two, three rings, then disconnected the call when she figured that J.R. must not be inside the villa. She dialed the number to his mobile phone, but she got a busy signal. She left a voice mail for him. She said, "Hi, Darlin'. It's me. My plane arrived just fine. I miss you. I love you, and I'll see you soon." She hung up the phone, and placed the mobile phone back inside her handbag.
The auditorium lights flickered overhead, signaling the start of the fashion show. A spotlight shone on the podium near the curtain covering the stage. The sound of modern-techno music could be heard blaring from two gigantic speakers mounted on either side of the stage. Sue Ellen pulled out a tube of lipstick, and a compact mirror from her handbag. She reapplied her lipstick in the mirror, checked her hair, and the rest of her makeup, and placed the lipstick and compact back inside the zippered compartment of her handbag. The master of ceremonies walked out onto the stage, and the entire auditorium audience rose to its feet in applause. The design houses would be shown in alphabetical order, with the fashions from the Armani style house shown first. Sue Ellen placed her hands around her crossed legs, and sat up straight in her chair. She loved Armani's line of menswear, and could only imagine how fabulous his women's wear line of clothing would be. She was so involved in all of the excitement, she didn't notice the man who had taken his seat next to her. The man said, "Buon giorno, Signora." Sue Ellen didn't feel like making small talk, or having to be polite to a stranger, but her social graces gave way to reason, and she politely turned to greet the man sitting by her side. It was the man she had met at the opera house the night before, Gian Carlo Montevideo. Sue Ellen offered her hand in greeting. He kissed the back of her hand, and looked to see if she was accompanied by her husband. Gian Carlo smiled ecstatically when he realized that she was in attendance by herself. Sue Ellen smiled at him, and turned her attentions back to the stage for the fashion show. Gian Carlo would interject random thoughts, and opinions about this suit, or that evening gown. Sue Ellen found his comments annoying, and tried not to say anything, hoping that he would stop talking.
J.R. waited for the rain to stop, before he decided to go for a ride on one of the farm's horses. He dressed in a pair of jeans, a western shirt, his cowboy boots, and a white Stetson. He laughed as he looked at his appearance in the mirror. He remembered watching John Wayne movies as a child. Those movies used to be called 'Spaghetti Westerns', because they were filmed on location in Italy. J.R. laughed to himself, as he walked outside, and down the pathway leading to the horse stables. One of the farm hands greeted him by tipping his hat. J.R. said, "Howdy, partner." The farm hand seemed to understand, and smiled at J.R. J.R. found a horse that reminded him of the horse his Daddy used to ride. The stallion was black, beautiful, and extremely large. J.R. felt somewhat intimidated, until the horse flicked its nose at J.R., and knocked his Stetson off of his head. J.R. stroked the gentle animal's nose, the horse whinnied. J.R. opened the stall door, and lifted a nearby saddle onto the animals back. J.R. tightened the straps around the horse's stomach, and patted the horse's rear flank. J.R. lifted the horse's feet, one at a time to inspect the shoes. J.R. nodded in approval, they looked as if the horse had been shod earlier that morning. J.R. put one of his feet into the stirrup, and climbed on top of the horses' back. J.R. made a clicking noise with his tongue, and the animal started walking out of the stall. J.R. yelled, "Hi-ya," when they were outside in the pasture, The animal bolted, and raced up the hillside of the farm. The more angry J.R. became, as he thought about Don Lockwood, the more J.R. would kick at the horses' flanks to have him increase his speed. J.R. was out of breath, when they reached the outer perimeter of the farm. J.R. said, "Whoa, boy," to tell the horse to slow down, and rest.
The last designer at the fashion show was Yohji Yamamoto. Sue Ellen was familiar with the name, but unfamiliar with the designs. Gian Carlo touched her thigh, and said, "You will enjoy designer," his thick accent sounded strange to her ears, as he spoke English. She was appalled that he had the audacity to actually touch her thigh. She moved her legs away from him, trying not to bump the photographer seated on her other side. Gian Carlo spent the entire show staring at Sue Ellen. She could feel him looking at her, and it was unnerving to her. She dropped her handbag, and leaned over to pick it up. She lifted her hand to the front of her jacket, as she bent over. Gian Carlo knelt in front of her, and eagerly handed the bag to her. Sue Ellen said, "Thank you." Gain Carlo touched her hand and said, "Prego, Siete eccezionalmente una donna di beautiflu." Sue Ellen's eyes widened at his comment. She understood what he had said to her, but couldn't believe how forward he was in telling her that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman. She stiffened, and said, "Grazie." He said, "You speak very good Italian, yes?" Sue Ellen shook her head, and said, "No, but, thank you." She turned her head toward the stage. Silently praying that he would take his seat, and leave her alone. Gian Carlo was undeterred, and moved closer to Sue Ellen. She wished that J.R. were there with her. She knew that J.R. would show Gian Carlo how Texans dealt with obnoxious foreigners. Sue Ellen had her bitchy side, too, but she was on vacation, and didn't feel like dealing with her annoying 'neighbor.' The show ended, and the audience applauded, as each of the designers took the stage. They waved, and bowed to the crowd. Paparazzi's flashbulbs were blinding, as the photographers were in a frenzy, trying to get the perfect camera angle, and the best picture of each designer. Sue Ellen wanted to leave, and get as far away from the man standing much too close to her, as she possibly could. She waited for him to turn his head, and ran in front of him, and out of the crowded auditorium.
J.R. let the horse take him back to the stables at a much slower pace than before. J.R. needed a clear head in order to decide how he would take care of Sue Ellen's ex-husband. He was fed up with Don Lockwood's persistent phone calls to Sue Ellen. In fact, he thought, it bordered on harassment. He envisioned what Rattigan might find out about Don's criminal past. J.R. hoped that whatever information Rattigan could come up with, would be enough to send Don to an International prison, and out of their lives for good. J.R. wanted his future with Sue Ellen free of obstacles, and right now, Don was a cumbersome thorn in J.R.'s side. J.R. considered how the International courts would deal with Don, once they had him in their custody. J.R. grinned as he pictured Don in shackles, standing before an International judge, awaiting his sentence. J.R. said, "Too bad this ain't Texas, I'd just shoot his ass," then he laughed out loud. That might not be such a bad idea, either. J.R. envisioned Don lying on the ground after an old western style duel with J.R. He whistled the tune they used to play in movies just before a gun duel in the streets, in the western movies he watched as a child. That would be too easy an out for the likes of Don Lockwood. J.R. wanted him to pay for his indiscretions, and miscellaneous crimes. He wanted Don to pay for taking Sue Ellen away from him, as well. J.R. wouldn't rest until he was sure that Don Lockwood was behind bars, awaiting a firing squad, or the gas chamber. The picture of both of those images brought a devious smile to J.R.'s face. He was feeling much better after his ride. He removed the saddle from the horse, and closed the door to the stall. J.R. tipped his Stetson at the farm hand, and said, "Thanks bud. You have a real nice afternoon, now."
Sue Ellen smiled as she saw the limousine driver waiting for her by the curb. She waited while he opened the door for her. She climbed inside, as she heard someone yell, "Signora?" Sue Ellen quickly shut the door. She knew who was calling to her, even before she looked out the window. She told the driver to hurry. She didn't want to be late for her flight back to Tuscany. The driver started the engine, as Gian Carlo tapped on the window. Sue Ellen angrily muttered, "Damn it," as she lowered the window less than an inch to see what Gian Carlo wanted. He smiled at her and said, "Mi scusi, Stavo domandandosi se potessi guidare all'aeroporto con voi. Non gradisco le carrozze del tassX" Sue Ellen looked at him, and said, "I'm sorry. I don't understand." Gian Carlo said, "I'm sorry. I was wondering if you would permit me ride to airport with you? I do not liking taxi cabs." Sue Ellen tried not to laugh at his broken English. She wanted to tell him to find another form of transportation, but he sounded so desperate, that she agreed. Gian Carlo said, "Grazie, Signora. Grazie molto." Sue Ellen asked the driver if he would keep an eye on their new passenger. The driver understood exactly what she was getting at, and said, "Of course, Ma'am." The driver locked down the privacy window. Sue Ellen smiled at the driver, as she looked at him in the rear view mirror. Gian Carlo sat close to the door, as far away from Sue Ellen as he could comfortably sit. Sue Ellen sat in silence as the limousine headed to the airport. Gian Carlo stared at her reflection in the window glass. He finally mustered up the courage to say, "I am not knowing your name, Signora?" Sue Ellen stifled her laughter, and said, "My name is Sue Ellen Ewing." Gian Carlo smiled, and repeated her name, "Sue Ellen Ewing." He smiled at her. He seemed to be proud of his pronunciation of her name. He asked, "You are American, yes?" Sue Ellen said, "Yes, I am an American." Gian Carlo asked, "You are from what part of America?" Sue Ellen grinned at him, and said, "I'm from Texas. I live in Dallas, Texas." Gian Carlo said, " Dallas Cowboy is football team, yes?" Sue Ellen said, "Yes, the Dallas Cowboys are a football team in Dallas, Texas." Gian Carlo smiled. He said, "Football...I play football many years ago."
J.R. waited outside in the courtyard, occasionally standing by the gate, looking for the limousine that would bring Sue Ellen back to him. He couldn't remember what time she would be returning. She had told him that she would be back some time later that afternoon, or was it that evening? He wasn't sure. He started to worry, when he saw the sun setting over the hills, in the western sky. J.R. picked up his mobile phone, and saw that he had a new voice message. He played the message and was relieved to hear Sue Ellen's voice. He smiled when he heard her say that she missed him, and loved him. He sat down on a bench in the courtyard. He jumped up off of the bench when he saw the reflection of headlights coming up the drive. He opened the gate and walked over to the passenger's door of the limousine. Sue Ellen smiled, and said, "I'm sorry that I'm so late, J.R. I tried to call you from the Airport, but I couldn't get any reception on my phone." J.R. pulled her into his arms and said, "That's okay, Sugar. I'm just glad you're back." He kissed her, and hugged her to him. He hugged her tightly, as if he hadn't seen her in years. Sue Ellen pulled away from him, and asked, "What's wrong, J.R.? I told you that I was coming back here, after the fashion show. You don't need to look so worried." J.R. forced a smile, and said, "I missed you. I wasn't worried, but I sure as hell missed you, Sugar. It felt like you've been gone forever, not just a few hours. How was the fashion show?" Sue Ellen wanted to tell him about Gian Carlo, but she knew that he wouldn't understand. Yes, she admitted to herself, that Gian Carlo Montevideo was a very attractive man, but he wasn't J.R. Ewing. Sue Ellen put her arm around J.R., as they walked through the courtyard, to the main house. She said, "I wish you would have joined me. I think you would have enjoyed it. You would have seen hundreds of gorgeous young models, in scant outfits, and lingerie. J.R. stopped walking, and put his hands on her arms. He said, "Sue Ellen, the only woman I want to see in scant outfits, and lingerie, is you." Sue Ellen said, "I'm only teasin', J.R. Don't get so defensive." J.R. said, "You're right. I guess I was more worried about you than I thought." Sue Ellen kissed his cheek, and reached for his hand, as he opened the door to the main house, and they walked inside.
